Exciting March Festivals in Japan

Each month brings exciting festivals in Japan. These festivals are a wonderful way to get to know the Japanese culture and way of life.

Here are a few Japanese festivals in March:

Dai Himonjiyaki – a month-long fire festival held every March around the area of Mt. Aso in Kyushu. The most anticipated event of Dai Himonjiyaki takes place on the 2nd saturday of March on a mountain slope in Ojo-dake where giant Chinese characters (measuring about 350 meters) signifying “fire” are lit. Hifuri Shinji, a ceremony offered for a rich harvest, is the celebration of the union of the gods. Locals and visitors alike light pine torches and wave them in the air, creating rings of fire for a spectacular sight.

The Yama-no-kami Matsuri (Mountain God Festival) is held at the end of March in the neighboring village, Nishihara. Part of the festival is the process called no-yak which involves setting fields around the area on fire to keep the grass in the pasture land in prime condition. You can try delicious delicacies such as the Aso beef barbeque in styles that vary by town and secret age-old family recipes. You can also visit Hana-Asobi (Aso Agri Square) near Aso Station, home to Japan’s only Tofu Museum.

Omizutori (お水取り) – an annual Japanese sacred water-drawing Buddhist festival that takes place in Nara. Omizutori is the final rite of a two-week long observance of the Shuni-e ceremony (Second-Month Service of the lunisolar calendar).  The purpose of the festival is to cleanse the people of their sins and to usher in the new year. During the evening ceremony called Otaimatsu, monks wave burning torches and draw large fiery circles in the air. Local belief is that whoever witnesses the ceremony and is showered with sparks is protected from evil, harmful things.

Sagicho Matsuri – also known as Omihachiman no Hi-matsuri (Omihachiman Shrine fire festival), this event is held in Shiga, every mid-March. It was first celebrated in the 16th century when new settlers to the district organized a grander festival than the one being celebrated in April.  Elaborately decorated Sagicho floats are gathered at Himure Hachimangu Shrine. These are made with pine torches woven from straw and topped with a long bamboo pole decorated with numerous strips of red paper. The center of each float is mounted with an animal representing the one for that particular Oriental Zodiac year. A poll is taken to determine the best float, after which they are paraded through town with people carrying mikoshi (portable shrines) shouting “Cho yare, yare yare!”